After a promising season of work last season where he went 7-3 with a 2.80 ERA, Tarik Skubal was named the opening day starter in 2024. He was primed for a quality full season of action fully recovered from his past injuries. When it was all said and done, he did not disappoint, and on November 20th, which is coincidentally his birthday, he was rewarded as the AL Cy Young Award winner. Skubal joins an elite class of Cy Young Award winners within the Tiger’s organization. Most recently Max Scherzer in 2013, and Justin Verlander in 2011.

Winning the award, capped off a historic season where he would lead his team to the second round of the playoffs, all while leading the entire American League with the most wins, strikeouts, and the lowest ERA. His ERA was a .01 higher then Chris Sale, or he would have led the entire Major Leagues in all categories. He finished with a 18-4 record, a 2.39 ERA, and a Major League best 228 strikeouts. Skubal was the first pitcher to win the triple crown since Shane Bieber, who did so in a shortened season of only 60 games.

Tarik Skubal.

UNANIMOUS Cy Young Award Winner 🏆

1st Tiger to win since Max Scherzer (2013).

Can I get an Amen? #RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/RRuZXbsGQ1

— Marc Ryan (@MarcRyanOnAir) November 21, 2024

As we look to the future the Tiger’s organization will be tasked with the job of building on the accomplishments of this historic year as a unit, and securing their dominant Ace. Skubal is estimated to make $11 million this year, and still remains under control of the organization until the offseason of 2027. He will be 30 years old. The Tiger’s front office has offered Skubal a contract extension this offseason, which was deemed “non competitive.” The team will likely be in for a long negotiation battle to get him secured long term. This is certainly what you would expect from a Scott Boras client in general, so in no way is this out of the norm. You would assume this gives Skubal and his team all the leverage, but he will have to maintain his health, and continue his success in order to bring in the major pay day that he will command.